PREP FOOTBALL / SHRINE ALL-STAR GAME : Offenses Struggle in 7-7 Tie

The top high school graduated senior football players in the state showed every sign of a seven-month layoff Saturday night.

Meeting in the 43rd Shrine North-South all-star game at Citrus College, the teams struggled to a 7-7 tie before 7,600.

The game, which matches players from Northern California against those from Southern California, was the first for many since December. Despite one week of practice, most of the players seemed a step out of sync.

The offenses struggled, in particular, with the teams combining for 334 yards and mounting only one sustained drive each. Even with lineups that featured some of the most productive running backs and quarterbacks in the state last season, neither side could effectively move the ball.

The South, which leads the series, 21-16-6, had several chances to break the tie late in the fourth quarter. Its last hope came with 30 seconds remaining when Pene Talamaivao of Pomona Ganesha recovered a fumble by quarterback Brad Martin of Fresno Clovis West at the North 28-yard line.

With All-American kicker Adam Abrams of La Jolla Bishop’s on the sideline, South Coach Tom Hoak of Rialto Eisenhower knew his team still had a good shot to pull out the victory. Two plays later, however, quarterback Steve Campbell of Norco had a pass batted down, but the officials ruled it a fumble and Vince Amey of Logan recovered it to end the drive.

Campbell, voted the South’s most valuable player, was 28-0 the last two seasons, and the tie left him frustrated.

“That was a bad call and I don’t understand it,” said Campbell, who completed five of 13 passes for 74 yards. “The guy clearly batted it down, yet they ruled it a fumble. It was my understanding the refs were supposed to let us play in this game.”

Why Hoak was going for a pass play with 15 seconds remaining is uncertain, but Abrams said he was ready to run out on the field when the possession suddenly changed.

“We were just trying to get the ball a little closer to the goal post, and in a tight game like this I was hoping I could make the difference,” said Abrams, who made 14 of 18 field goals last season. “I am a little disappointed I didn’t have more of a chance tonight.”